nextOS

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A highly optimized 64-bit operating system featuring a skeuomorphic desktop environment.

Core Specifications

Feature	Detail
Architecture	x86_64 (64-bit)
Bootloader	GRUB 2 (Multiboot2)
Image Format	Hybrid ISO (Legacy BIOS + UEFI)
Kernel	Monolithic (C + Assembly)
Graphics	Double-buffered VESA/GOP framebuffer at 60 Hz+
Design	Skeuomorphic (glossy gradients, drop shadows, bevels, textures)

Directory Structure

nextOS/
├── boot/
│   └── boot.S              # Multiboot2 header, 64-bit entry point
├── kernel/
│   ├── kernel.c             # Main loop, Multiboot2 parsing, subsystem init
│   ├── arch/x86_64/
│   │   ├── gdt.c / gdt.h   # Global Descriptor Table
│   │   ├── idt.c / idt.h   # Interrupt Descriptor Table + PIC
│   │   └── isr.S            # ISR/IRQ stubs and common handler
│   ├── mem/
│   │   ├── pmm.c / pmm.h   # Physical memory manager (bitmap allocator)
│   │   ├── heap.c / heap.h  # Kernel heap (first-fit free list)
│   │   └── paging.c / paging.h  # 4-level page table management
│   ├── drivers/
│   │   ├── keyboard.c / keyboard.h  # PS/2 keyboard (26 layouts incl. Hungarian)
│   │   ├── mouse.c / mouse.h        # PS/2 mouse with IRQ12
│   │   ├── disk.c / disk.h          # ATA PIO + AHCI/NVMe stubs
│   │   └── timer.c / timer.h        # PIT driver (system tick)
│   ├── fs/
│   │   ├── vfs.c / vfs.h    # Virtual File System layer
│   │   ├── fat32.c / fat32.h  # FAT32 read/write driver
│   │   └── ext2.c / ext2.h    # EXT2 read/write driver
│   ├── gfx/
│   │   └── framebuffer.c / framebuffer.h  # Double-buffered framebuffer + 8×16 font
│   └── ui/
│       └── compositor.c / compositor.h    # Skeuomorphic window compositor
├── apps/
│   ├── settings/
│   │   └── settings.c / settings.h   # Settings app (Display, Theme, Keyboard)
│   ├── explorer/
│   │   └── explorer.c / explorer.h   # File Explorer (manila-folder style)
│   └── notepad/
│       └── notepad.c / notepad.h      # Notepad (yellow legal pad style)
├── iso/boot/grub/
│   └── grub.cfg             # GRUB bootloader configuration
├── linker.ld                # Kernel linker script
├── Makefile                 # Build system
└── README.md

Building

Prerequisites

• GCC (x86_64 target, with freestanding headers)
• NASM (assembler, for any NASM-syntax files)
• GNU LD (linker)
• GRUB 2 (grub-mkrescue)
• xorriso (ISO creation backend)
• mtools (for GRUB UEFI image creation)

On Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt-get install build-essential nasm grub-pc-bin grub-efi-amd64-bin \
    xorriso mtools grub-common grub2-common

Build Commands

make          # Build kernel ELF and Hybrid ISO
make clean    # Remove all build artifacts

The build produces:

• nextos.elf — 64-bit kernel ELF binary
• nextos.iso — Bootable Hybrid ISO image

Running

QEMU

qemu-system-x86_64 -cdrom nextos.iso -m 2G

VirtualBox / VMware

Create a new x86_64 VM and attach nextos.iso as the CD-ROM.

Real Hardware

Write the ISO to a USB drive:

sudo dd if=nextos.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress

Boot Flow

1. GRUB loads nextos.elf via Multiboot2
2. boot.S sets up long mode (64-bit), identity-maps memory, loads GDT, enables SSE
3. kernel_main() initialises GDT, IDT, memory, drivers, filesystem, and graphics
4. Installation check: Kernel reads disk sector 1 for a magic marker. If found, the installer is skipped.
5. First Boot Installer displays: "Welcome to nextOS." with an Install button. Installation writes a marker to disk so subsequent boots skip the installer.
6. After installation (or on subsequent boots), the desktop compositor renders the skeuomorphic environment

Applications

Settings (Ctrl+1)

• Display tab: Change screen resolution
• Theme tab: Toggle between Brushed Metal and Glossy Glass
• Keyboard tab: Select from 26 keyboard layouts (including Hungarian)

File Explorer (Ctrl+2)

• Cabinet-style interface with manila folder icons
• Navigates the actual disk filesystem via VFS/FAT32/EXT2
• Directory traversal with back button and keyboard navigation

Notepad (Ctrl+3)

• Yellow legal pad with ruled lines and red margin
• Full text editing (cursor, backspace, enter, arrow keys)
• Open/Save dialogs for reading/writing files to disk

Browser (Ctrl+4)

• Support for both HTTP and HTTPS websites
• Custom HTML renderer engine
• Partial HTML and CSS support

Keyboard Layouts

The keyboard driver supports 26 layouts with full scancode-to-ASCII mapping:

US English, Hungarian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, UK English, Czech, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, Croatian, Slovenian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Dutch, Belgian, Swiss, Turkish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian

Design Philosophy

nextOS follows a skeuomorphic design philosophy throughout:

• Gradients: Every surface uses two-stop gradients (no flat colours)
• Bevels: Raised/sunken border effects on all interactive elements
• Drop Shadows: Cast shadows behind windows and panels
• Gloss: Top-highlight effect simulating reflected light
• Textures: Leather-like panels, brushed metal, and glass themes
• Icons: Manila folders, document icons with dog-ear corners

Known Issues

• None ATM

License

MIT License — see LICENSE.